Help Me Decide Between USF, UCF, and UF

State Forums
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1

Hey,

I’m a senior in Florida applying to the above 3 schools. I plan on majoring in biology and going into medicine (neurosurgery :)) I’m a NMSF and have gotten pretty good grades in high school. Was wondering which out of the 3 schools you would recommend me to go, based on your experience. I will be visiting these schools myself, but wanted some fellow students’ opinions. - Thanks!

2

UF is undoubtedly the best academically of the three.

3

If you want to go the best academic school you can then UF is head and shoulders above the others.

4

If you were looking at just a four year degree, UF is the highest ranked, will provide you with better quality peers and is the clear choice. However, USF and UCF both have combined med school programs that might make the med school application process easier, and Tampa and Orlando might give you more opportunities to volunteer than Gainesville.

http://honors.usf.edu/ap_med.html

http://honors.ucf.edu/admissions/burnettmedicalscholarsoverview

If you are serious about attending med school and becoming a doctor, both program warrant a closer look.

UF has a similar 7 year program called the Medical Honors Program, but you have to apply in your sophomore year of college.

http://mhp.med.ufl.edu

As a NMSF, the University of Miami will provide you with significant merit aid, and they also have a quality med school.

Good luck.

5

Thanks @folkiestcat , @Proudpatriot , and @Zinhead for the replies! I have completed a decent amount of AP/IB Courses in high school and hope to get out of some credits in college, which would shorten my time in undergrad. My dream has been to go to Johns Hopkins for medical school. Would you suggest doing one of the 7 year programs versus this more traditional path?

6

@stantonstudent - That is a question that should be asked on the pre-med section of this website, or on other websites that are dedicated to helping students become doctors.

7

UF is the best school - and most highly regarded outside of FL as well. UCF is known as a degree mill. USF and UCF will be viewed more as regional schools. UF is a “public ivy”.

8

Why not FSU? What is your clearest path to med school? Of those 3 - USF.

9

If you want to go to Med school, then choose which one you like the best. Don’t choose UF because people online are saying it is the best and you should go. UF is the highest ranked, but Med schools don’t car even about ranking. Pick which one you like the best and the one you could see yourself being the happiest at.

10

@soyunchico - thx for the reply, I am definitely going to visit these schools before I choose, and wanted to get another opinion!

11

@TedDBear and @ClarinetDad16 thank you for the replies!

12

It is a common fallacy on CC that med/dental schools do not care what undergraduate an applicant comes from. It is quite apparent that:

  • Elite private med schools give preference to graduates of other elite private schools
  • Catholic med schools give preference to graduates of Catholic colleges
  • Pubic med schools give tremendous preference to in-state applicants

That puts UF, USF and UCF in the same boat for med school applications; large public schools. The advantage for UF
is that the OP is a NMSF which puts him/her at the top of the academic food chain for in-state kids. He/She will find many more academic peers in Gainesville than in Tampa or Orlando.